By Justin Franz 

A ride aboard Amtrak’s Downeaster between Brunswick, Maine, and Boston, could get 15 minutes faster if the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority is able to move the station in Portland, Maine. 

This month, NNEPRA, which oversees Amtrak’s operation of the train, has released a proposal that calls for moving the current station closer to downtown Portland. Not only would that mean a shorter distance to travel from Portland’s popular Old Port district, but it would eliminate a timely backup move for the train. Since the Downeaster was inaugurated in 2001, it has had to back to the station at Portland located on the former Maine Central Mountain Division. The Portland Transportation Center at Thomas Point also serves as a bus station. 

NNEPRA considered three locations on the double track main line for the new station and earlier this year settled on one adjacent to Maine Medical Center. The proposed station would feature two platforms and a pedestrian bridge overhead. NNEPRA was taking public comment on the proposal until this week. The next steps in the project would be engineering and design.